Greenpeace protesters blockade Centrica HQ over energy bills

April 30, 2012 | Commodities & Oilprice, North Sea & Western Europe

Greenpeace_activists_blockade_Centrica_HQ

Dozens of campaigners have staged a protest outside Centrica’s head offices over what they say are “rip-off” energy bills fuelled by rising gas prices.

Greenpeace said more than 50 protesters blockaded the road to the energy company’s headquarters in Windsor, Berkshire, with a 260 square foot spoof energy bill.

And they shut down the offices by sealing the entrances with bills printed on wood and locked to the doors, the green group said.

A handful of protesters are also said to be inside the building attempting to locate chief executive Sam Laidlaw’s offices, so they can “redecorate” it with rolls of wallpaper printed with energy bills.

Greenpeace said average bills rose £150 last year, £100 of which was due to rising gas prices.

The environmental group said that, contrary to claims by opponents of green measures, subsidies for renewables have increased little in the past few years and make up only 25 in the average energy bill.

The protesters are critical of what they say is Centrica’s reliance on “expensive, imported gas”, and claim the company has lobbied the Government to support gas in the energy mix, instead of renewables and energy efficiency.

In this spring’s Budget, Chancellor George Osborne championed gas, which he said was cheap and cleaner than coal, and would remain the UK’s single biggest source of energy for decades.

But last week, Prime Minister David Cameron said renewables were “vital” for the UK’s future.

Greenpeace campaigner Lawrence Carter said: “The energy company Centrica is ripping us off. The bills that they are sending out are soaring, and that’s because Centrica uses too much expensive, imported gas.

“Centrica have got to get off gas. The average energy bill has risen by £150 in the last year, and £100 of that is solely due to the rocketing price of gas.

“If Centrica instead invested in clean, cutting-edge renewable energy and energy efficiency, they would help to bring both household bills under control and to tackle climate change.”

But a spokesman for the company said: “We recognise the impact that higher energy prices are having on household budgets.

“That’s why British Gas has announced a series of measures to help customers, including a cut in electricity prices, free insulation and help for eligible customers to claim the Warm Homes Discount.

“In the past three years, we have spent more than £500 million on helping vulnerable customers, more than any other organisation in Britain bar the Government.

“In terms of our environmental commitment, we have one of the lowest carbon intensities of the major power generators in the UK and have invested more than £3 billion in the last three years in lower carbon generation and are a major investor in offshore wind.”

Thames Valley Police confirmed they were attending a protest staged by about 65 people outside Centrica’s offices in Windsor, following reports this morning that campaigners had closed the road and were causing a disturbance.

Officers said they were monitoring the protest, and that no arrests had been made.